Public Statements

Weekly Washington Update

Statement

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a law to implement recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. The 9/11 Recommendations Improvement Act represents our nation's ongoing commitment to further enhancing America's homeland security and our intelligence capabilities.

Our country has come a long way in improving our homeland security since September 11. Working with President Bush, we have made America safer. Today our homeland is more prepared and more protected. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I am pleased to report that we were able to secure record levels of funding for Homeland Security. This funding is helping America screen 100% of commercial air passengers and bags, stockpile drugs and vaccines to battle biological and chemical attacks, implement new threat prevention programs such as the Terrorist Threat Integration Center and BioWatch, and has also helped us deport more than 77,000 criminal aliens in one year.

Being prepared is important, but in order to win the War on Terror, we must root out terrorist organizations where they plot and plan, before they can attack us again here at home. Across the globe, we are taking the battle to our terrorist enemies. Today, more than 2/3rds of al-Queda's known operatives have been killed or captured. Afghanistan is no longer a breeding ground for terrorists. Iraq is no longer pursuing weapons of mass destruction, and Libya has voluntarily disarmed.

As a member of the House Financial Committee, we are also working to go after the financial networks and individuals who fund terrorist activities. Through our efforts, more than $200 million in assts from terrorist sponsors have been frozen from more than 660 accounts around the world.

Although much work remains, working with President Bush, we are doing everything we can to protect America and keep our children safe from harm.